Marks & Spencer is set to close 100 stores by 2022 as it accelerates a transformation programme, with shops in Stockton and Darlington likely to be among the first to go.

The Tees Valley stores are among 14 which have been earmarked for closure in 2018 or 2019, but the retail giant has signalled that more closures are on the way over the next few years while it will also scale back plans to open more Simply Food stores.

The Stockton and Darlington stores are among a group of nine where M&S has opened consultation with staff. The company is aiming to redeploy staff to other shops before redundancy is considered.

More than 600 staff are affected at the nine stores.

Sacha Berendji, retail, operations and property director at Marks & Spencer said: “We are making good progress with our plans to reshape our store estate to be more relevant to our customers and support our online growth plans.

“Closing stores isn’t easy but it is vital for the future of M&S. Where we have closed stores, we are seeing an encouraging number of customers moving to nearby stores and enjoying shopping with us in a better environment, which is why we’re continuing to transform our estate with pace.”